Spherical cleaner-general arrangement



- Feb. 12, 1957 e. P. DAIGER ETAL SPHEIRICAL CLEANER GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1954' 1 1A. in.

Feb. 12, 1957 e. P. DAIGER ETAL SPHERICAL CLEANER GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1954 Feb. 12, 1957 e. P. DAIGER El'AL SPHERICAL CLEANER GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 25, 1954 United States Patent SPHERICAL CLEANER-GENERAL ARRANGEMENT George P. Daiger, Canton, Dale C. Gerber, North Canton, and Werner G. Seek, Canton, Ohio, assignors to The cover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 25, 1954, Serial No; 413,556

11 Claims. (Cl. 18337) It is a general object of our invention to provide a cleaner characterized by maximum efi'icient utilization of the space within the cleaner casing to the end that the casing is reduced to the minimum practical size consistent with the size of the objects which it must house, and the presentation of an acceptably pleasing external appearance, and which may be constructed at minimum cost while retaining maximum efficiency of operation, and ease of construction and servicing.

it is a particular object of our invention to provide a suction cleaner having a power plant and filter structure housed within a generally spherical casing whereby a maximum volume of space is provided for these elements with a minimum external surface.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a suction cleaner housed within a spherical casing, divided along a substantially diametrical plane into hemispheres so arranged that the power plant is substantially completely housed within one of the hemispheres and the filter is supported from the hemisphere housing the motor fan unit but positioned entirely within the other hemisphere upon a skeletal frame whereby removal or pivoting of the upper hemisphere completely exposes the filter for maximum ease or" replacement or inspection of the filter.

It is another object of our invention to provide a suction cleaner of the foregoing type wherein the filter is provided with an air inlet held in a skeletal frame in proper position to register with the air inlet conduit of the cleaner without attention on the part of the operator when the cleaner casing is closed.

-t is a further object of our invention to provide a suction cleaner of the character generally above set forth constructed and arranged to provide maximum ease of access to the various parts thereof to facilitate installation, construction, servicing and maintenance.

It is a further object of our invention to provide asuction cleaner wherein the filter and power plant are encased within a generally spherical casing which is pivotally supported upon a base frame connected to'the spherical casing to provide a substantially continuous circumferential slot between the upper portion of-the base frame and the spherical casing and wherein airexhaus'ted from the cleaner discharges into theinte'rior of the base frame and is then difiused through the circumferential slot.

It is another important feature of our invention'that-the filter mounting and support'structure -not only provides completely free access to all portions of tlie filter but is It is a further important object of ourinven'tion topro- 'vide a'suction'cleanerwherein the motor fan unit is posirinned in thelowermostportion of a-jsph'eric'al Teasing with e heavie a den o he 119 .0 :c 'the' flndorsideof the motor fan unit y qs tojhe level the supporti surface to provide maximum stability in the structure and 2,78 1,103 Patented Feb. 12, 1951 ice maximum ease of movement thereof across a supporting surface. I

It is still anotherobject of ourinvention to provide a suction cleaner wherein the filter is-housed within a spherical casing in such fashion as to utilize elfectively a large area filter without cramping or blocking any part of the filter structure and without providing significant waste space in the filter housing part of the cleaner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention'will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a sectional-elevational View of a suction cleaning apparatus embodying our invention,

Figure 2 is a partial elevational view, partly in section, taken at right angles to thesection of Figure 1 to illustrate certain hinge and latch details,

Figure 3 is a perspective view drawn to a smaller scale illustrating the complete cleaner opened to expose the lter, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the complete cleaner, also drawn to a smaller scale, illustrating the manner in which the cleaner is converted for blowing operation.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and first to Figure 1 thereof, our invention is illustrated as comprising a casing referred to generally by the reference character 1 which is spherical in shape and is composed, in the illustrated embodiment, of hemispherical sections 2 and 3, respectively. The upper hemisphere 2 is pivotally joined to the lower hemisphere 3 by means of a hinge 4. The two hemispheres are secured in assembled relation by a latch mechanism which comprises a toggle latch 5 attached to the upper hemisphere 2 and having a catch portion 6 which is engageable under a keeper tongue 7 projecting outwardly of the lower hemisphere 3 and secured thereto as by welding or the like. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the hemispheres 2 and 3 join on a horizontal diametrical plane indicated generally by thereference character 8. The lower hemisphere 3 has a circumferential guard or bumper 9 secured to the outside surface thereof which projects slightly above its upper edge so as to overlap the lower edge of the hemisphere 1 when the two hemispheres are in the assembled relation illustrated. A second circumferential, ornamental guard or bumper 10 is mounted on the lower portion of the upper hemisphere 2 just above the lower edge thereof. The bumper or guard 16 is continuous except for an interruption to accommodate the latch mechanism 5 as shown in Figure 4. V The overlapping relation of the bumper 9 to the meeting edges of the hemispheres Z-and 3 V efiec'tively seals the joint therebetween against air leakage.

An annular stiffening rib 12, L-shaped in cross section, is secured as by welding or the like to the interior of the upper hemisphere 2 and projects slightly below the edge thereof to hold the lower edge'of the hemisphere 2 in true circular relationshipand to guide it into proper engagement with theupper edge of hemisphere 3.

The interior of the spherical casing l is divided into substantially equal upper and lower chambers 13 and 3.4- by means of a transverse partition or bulkhead 15. The outer edge of the bulkhead l5 rests upon the horizontal portion of an annular L-shaped stiffening rib l6 and the chamber 14 and consists essentially of a casing 1.7..

within which is housed a multistage fan or air pump of a I type commonly used in'suction cleaners. The casing 17 is pro th a centrab nwer 1y-fa i n t p ing 18 by which air is led to the fans contained in the i casing 17. The casing 17 is secured as by means of istuds 19 to the upper 'end of a motor frame 20 which houses and supports an electrical motor 21 which drives aifr fans within the housing 17 in a known manner.

r The power plant assembly consisting of the motor and The lower portion of the hemisphere which is wedged into the resilient gasket 23 whereby to form a resilient and sound-deadening bottom support for the motor and fan structure.

The upper end of the power plant structure engages against an annular gasket 26 of rubber or similar material which is received within an upwardly-projecting, cupshaped recess 27 formed in the central part of the bulkhead 15. The recess 27 is provided with a central opening 28 to permit free flow of air through the bulkhead 15 into the air inlet opening 18 of the power plant without, however, permitting air'to flow by any other means between the spaces 13 and 14.

An annular barrier member 36. L-shaped in cross section rests upon and is suitably secured to the upper face of bulkhead 15. support a dish-shaped feltedpaper or fiber secondary filter 31 which rests upon and is stiffened by a complementally shaped screen 32.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 3, the

principal filter and its supporting mechanism will be described. The bulkhead 15 supports a spaced pair of resilient U-shaped strap members 33 and 34 defining the principal elements of a skeletal frame for supporting a principal filter. For purposes of conveniencein descrip tion, the frame member 33 is referred to as the front frame and the member 34 as the rear frame. The members 33 and 34 are secured to the bulkhead 15 and to the annular spacing member 16 by means of studs 35 which extend through suitable openings in the bulkhead 15 and thread into the member '16. The strap members 33 and 34 are positioned so as to substantially conform to the contour of the hemisphere 2 with their leg portions adjacent butinwardly spaced from the periphery thereof. The member 3% lies within the frame members 33 and 34 as shown in Figure 3.

The top or bight portions of the members 35 and '34 I are horizontal and are connected by spaced channel members 37 which underlie the bight portions of the strap members and are secured thereto as by welding or the like.

The channel members 37 provide supporting guides for a filter mounting means to be described. The ends of the channel members 37 connectedto the strap member 34 are closed to form stops and the ends of channel members 37 connected to the strap member 33 are open as shown in Figure 3 to permit insertion of a filter mounting and support member to be described hereinafter.

In the illustrated embodiment'my invention is provided A with a primary filter 40 which is preferably constructed in to the top surface of the filter 46 around the opening 43 and 'is'in turn cemented to a flat rectangular cardboard mounting plate 45 sized to slide into the channel-shaped members 37 as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. 'When the plate-45 is slid into the channels 37 to the maximum extent permitted by the closed ends thereof the filter as- The barrier serves to position and sumes the position illustrated in Figure 3 from which it is apparent that the same is entirely exposed for inspection when the top hemisphere member 1 is swung to the open position. It is also apparent that the filter is readily removed from the skeletal supporting frame by simply sliding the same forwardly as viewed in Figure 3 and may be replaced by sliding the mounting plate of the new filter into the channels 37 rearwardly as viewed in Figure 3. The tubular pleated form of filter assumes a roughly hemispherical form when inflated thus providing large effective filtering area and substantially filling the hemisphere 2. g

The top hemisphere 2 is provided in its top central portion with a tubular inlet connection conduit 46 sized to fit within the lanced opening 43 of the filter and to' form an air seal therewith by engaging theinner edge of the felt ring 44 and the side walls of the lanced openings 43. It is apparent from Figure 1 that the plate 45 is provided with an opening 47 of considerably larger diameter than the conduit 46 to permit the same freely to pass through the plates 45 without engaging the same. The plate 45 is a mounting and supporting device and is not intended to form a part of the air' seal between the inlet conduit and the filter proper. I p

The conduit 46 is provided with. an enlarged diameter section 48 terminating in an outwardly-projecting flange 49which is secured to the inside wall of the hemisphere 2 by welding or similar means. The enlarged diameter portion 48 of the inlet conduit receives an armular anchoring ring 50 which is in the shape of an inverted L in cross section. The ring 50 cooperates with the member 46 to form an annular channel 51 just within the confines of the hemisphere 1. The ring 59 is secured to the enlarged diameter portion 48 of the inlet conduit by welding or similar means.

i The inlet conduit structure just described is adapted to receive an elbow-shaped hose connecting swivel conduit 52. The tubular elbow 52 is provided with a downwardly-projecting leg portion 53 which is pivotally received within the conduit 46 to form an air connection therewith while permitting the elbow 52 to swivel freely on a vertical axis within the conduit 46. The elbow 52 is provided in one side thereof with a spring-mounted latch member 55 having on its lower end a projecting pin or tongue 56 which extends into the annular channel 51 to prevent accidental separation of the elbow 52 while allowing the same to turn freely about a vertical axis. Depressing the spring 55 inwardly from the plane of' view of Figure l withdraws the pin 56 from the channel 51 to permit disassembly of the elbow from the hemisphere 2 if desired. 7

The other leg of the elbow 52'is provided with a tubular section 58 having on its outer end an enlarged diameter channel forming section 59. The member 5 8 is adapted to receive. a tubular mounting portion 60 of a fiexible hose 61 adapted to be connected to a suction ..mechanism of known type indicated generally at 64 and provided with a projecting pin or tongue'p'art 65 adapted to be'received within the channel 59 to prevent longitudinal withdrawal of the hose from the tubular connector 58.. .Depression of the portion 64 of the com necting structure withdraws the member 65 from the channel 59. to allow ready disassembly of the hose from the elbow connector. 52.

As'shown in Figure 3; the upper hemisphere 2 is in its a removed or open position with respect to the lower -f i it ai i a d inFigurs h'emisphere 3. The extent of pivotal movement of the member 2 is limited by a light-weight chain. 66 connected to a suitable hook'member 67 mounted on the interior wall of the hemisphere 2 and to hook 68 carried by the] frame member 34' at opposite sides thereof. The length of the chain is such that the hemisphere 2 can tilt seminary slightly beyond the vertical to remain in the When. a filter is properly positioned-in the enema 'rnembers 37, the hemisphere'2 may be swung inaforwad 'orclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 to the closed position of Figure l in the course of which the tubular connector fi passes-into the inlet op ening of the iilter'and forms a seal therewith as described heretofore. Similarly, when the top hemisphere 2 is swung to the filter exposing position of Figure 3, it automatically detaphes the connector .46 from the filter so that the filter is then freely removable and replaceable.

The cleaner'jsupporting structure comprises a substantially plane surfaced supporting plate or skid 70 which is curved upwardly and its peripheral portion is indicated at 71. The disc-like skid 70 supports an annular member illustrated, of spaced-apart resilient pads'76 which are adapted to engage the surface of the spherical member 3 and to cooperate with a hinge means to be described to 'maintain'the member 3 spaced from the flange 73 so as to provide a substantially continuous annular discharge port between the conical ring 73 and the wall of the spherical 'member' 3.

As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the portions 73, 74

75 of the supporting ring structure is interrupted to provide space 'for a hinge 78 having oneleaf thereof 'i'iveted or otherwise'suitably secured to a raised portion 79 of the base skid 7t) and the other portion thereof bolted as indicated at 89 inan indented angular section {slot the spherical member 3.

The hinge 78 provides the means by which the supporting structure is secured to"the-sp'herical casing 1 and a, means whereby the spherical casing 1 can be'piv'oted away from the supporting structure for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Oppositely to the hinge 78, thesupporting ring 73 is provided with an opening 82 through which projects the hook portion of a latch spring member 83 secured as by the rivet" 84 to the annular member 74. The hook portion'of the spring latch 83 is adapted to engage a catch 35 which is secured to the undersidevof the hemispherical rii'ember 3 "in'position to be engaged by the latch'spring 83 when the spherical member is resting on the resilient pads 75. A release arm '86 is secured to the spring member SS'and projects through an opening 87 in the conical ring member 72 so as to be accessible from the exterior thereof for disengaging the latch 83 from the keeper 85.

As shown most clearly in Figure l, the hemispherical member 3 is provided with an exhaust conduit 88 positioned to discharge exhaust air within the confines of 'thesupporting structure when'the parts are in the as- ;sembled relation illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The

exhaust conduit 8.8 has an enlarged diameter section 89 terminating in an outwardly-projecting flange 90 which is secured to the interior of the hemispherical member 3.

Au ahnular L-section ring member-$1. is securedwithin the enlarged portion 89 of the exhaust conduit to define an annular channel 92 therewith which is adapted to receive a. latch member on a suction cleaner hose such as the member 65 to convert the apparatus for blowing operation. In the use of the apparatus for normal cleaning, the air discharged by the fans within the housing 17 discharges through the conduit 33 into the interior space between the bottom portion of the hemispherical member 3 and the base supporting skid 7i) and escapes between the outer surface of the hemispherical member 3 and the member 73 substantially around the entire periphery of the hemisphere 3. The circumferential slot between members; an "13 "roman" ex u t t me fo th cleaner which directs "the"'a ir upwardly away from' the supporting surface'in alow velocity annular stream.

When it is desired'to convert the apparatus into blowing operation, the latch' 83 is released from the keeper 85 after which the spherical casing 1 can be pivoted on the hinge '78 away from the supporting structure as illustrated in Figure 4. When this is'done, the exhaust conduit SS is exposed and a'hose such as the hose 61 may be readily attached thereto as illustrated in Figure 4. The spherical cleaner casing pivots on the hinge 78 until the outer periphery thereof rests on the supporting surface externally of the outer periphery of the normal supporting skid'70 and its associated structures when converted to blowing operation. The'leaf of the hinge 78'directly connected to the hemisphere-3 is provided with adeep U shaped section )3 so as to clear the joint between the supporting ring sections 72 and 73-whereby the major portion of the weight of the spherical casing 1 is supported by contact of that casing with a supporting surface when converted to blowing operation.

The upper hemispherical section 2 is provided with spaced pairs of U-shaped mounting'brackets 1G0 positioned 'on opposite sides of the inlet connecting conduit 46 and in spaced relation thereto. The brackets 100 have leg portions projecting through the wall of the hemisphere 2 from'the'interior thereof to form spaced-apart supports for pivoting pins. fihl'uponwhich is pivotally mounted a "bail type carrying handle 102. When the cleaner is in use, the handle it); lies flat against the same so as tobe clear ofthe elbow 52 allowing 360 swiveling movement of the elbow member 52 under these conditions. When jthe'hose: 61 is disconnected from the elbow 52 the bail type handle 162 can'be raised for easy transportation of the cleaner structure.

A conventional type of snap acting switch 104 is-mountf ed on the exterior wallof the hemispherical section 3 ""directly'below the'latch mechanism 5 and above the latch 'ing hose 61 by the operator.

' The housing spherical structure provides for a maximum internal volumewith minimum external surface as Well as providing a pleasing and regular appearance. The arrangement of motor and fan in the bottom half of the spherical casing with the motor at the lower'part of the power plant unit places'the heaviest portions of themternal cleaner structure at the lowest possible level to pro vide maximum stability and easy sliding on a supporting surface in response to a force applied to the suction clean- Since the supporting structui'e'a'lso provides'the exhaust air difiusing means, the exhaust structure in the cleaner casing proper is a purely con ventio'nal' standard type of'hose connecting device where fore the hose may be connecteddirectly'thereto forblowing operations Without requiring valve manipulation or similar steps to handle conversion and diffusion.

t is a particularly important feature of our invention that the filter is supported on a skeletal frame carried by the lower hemispherical section of the cleaner casing but is positioned entirely within the upper hemispherical casing section whereby pivoting the upper section away from the lower section exposes the filter completely and, disconnects the air inlet connection to facilitate inspection and replacement Without requiring the operator to stuifthe filter into cramped quarters or to establish'an air inlet connector.

7 1 An important feature of the invention also resides in the arrangement of thesecondary filter which, as shown in Figure 1, arches upwardly over the airrinlet portion of the fan casing 17 and in spaced relation thereto. range'ment provides a strong support for the bottom portion of the filter 40 where heavy dirt and metallic particles are likely to collect and also prevents the bottom portion of the filter from sealing against the inlet opening through the bulkhead was to maintain all portions of the filter 40 operative at all times to filter air which can pass through the portions of the secondary filter 31 spaced from the filter 40 and thus find their way freely into the fan casing 17.

While we have illustrated'and described the invention in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the arrangement, proportion and construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

1-. Suction cleaning apparatus comprising a spherical cleaner casing having air inlet and exhaust conduits, a

tubular filter in the casing mounted to receive air from the 7 air inlet, a suction producing unit mounted in the casing and arranged to draw air through the air inlet and filter and to discharge air through the exhaust conduit, a support structure attached to the casing including an upstanding annular wall having a lower surface engaging section and an upper section positioned in spaced relation to the casing to define an annular exhaust diffusing port therewith and the said exhaust conduit being positioned to dis charge into the support structure and within the annular .wall, said support structure being pivotally attached to the casing whereby the casing may swing away from the support structure to expose the exhaust conduit for connection of a flexible hose thereto.

2. Suction cleaning apparatus comprising a casing composed of first and second sections separably joined together, a filter having an air inlet housed in said first section, a suction producing unit housed in said second section, an air inlet connection on the first casing section, and

a resilient filter support on the second section supporting the filter in the first section with the filter air inlet en gaging the air inlet connection whereby the filter is exposed and disengaged from the air inlet connection when the casing sections are separated, said first casing section being substantially hemispherical and said filter comprising a tubular body substantially filling the first section when inflated, said filter being provided with a mounting panel'surrounding the filter air inlet and said filter support comprising a resilient frame structure carrying a mounting means releasably engaging the panel and supporting the filter with the filter air inlet held in operative relation to the air inlet connection.

3. A suction cleaner comprising, a hollow sectional casing, a support for said casing, a bulkhead dividing said casing into substantially equal volumes, said casing being separably connected at said bulkhead to form upper and lower parts with said bulkhead mounted on said lower part and having a central opening between said parts, suction creating means mounted within said lower part, an air 'inlet connection formed in said upper part remote from said bulkhead, a filter having an air inlet opening within said upper part and substantially occupying its entire Vol- This ar- 7 to adjacent the bottom of said lower part whereby the 7 to said inwardly extending portion with said inlet opening in alignment with said inlet connection whereby said filter is fully exposed for removal'and replacement when said upper. part is separated from said lower part.

4. A suction cleaner accordingto claim 3 in which said suction creating means comprises a motor-fan-unit having a suction inlet communicating with the central opening in said bulkhead and with the motor extending downwardly center of gravity of the cleaner is positioned below said. bulkhead.

5. A suction cleaner according to claim 3 in which said detachable connecting means includes a platelike member secured to said filter about said inlet .opening and means on the inwardly extending portion of saidfilter supporting means for slidably and detachably securing the edges of said platelike member whereby said filter may be easily detached and replaced when said upper part. is separated from said lower part.

6. A suction cleaner according to claim 3 including a V hinge connection between said upper and lower parts at 7 one side thereof so that said upper part may pivot upwardly about said hinge and not interfere with said filter or with said filter supporting means. 7

7; A suction cleaner according to claim 6'in which said casing is of spherical formation and its upper and lower. parts are in the form of hemispheres mating at their diametrical faces. V p

8. A suction cleaner according to claim 6 including means attached to said filter supporting means for limiting the pivotalmovement of said upper part to a position slightly over center relative to said hinge so that said upper part will remain open when moved to that position.

9. A suction cleaner according to claim 3 in which said. upper and lower parts are substantially hemispherical in shape and mate with each other about their diametrical faces.

10. A suction cleaner according to claim 3 which 7 7 said filter comprises a paper filter bag closed atboth ends, said bag havingat least one flat side with said inlet opening formed therein and having pleated sides adjacent said flat side. V

' 11. A suction cleaner according to claim'3 in which 1 said inlet connection seals 'with said inlet opening when said upper part is connected to said lower part.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS France .4. May 13, 1933 

